Floor scrubbing machine



April 9, 1968 c. BOYD FLOOR SCRUBBING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledFeb. 2, 1966 -s amain w V WQ m gm m N N INVENFOR.

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April 9, 1968 c. BOYD FLOOR SCRUBBING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed Feb.2, 1966 ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent O 3,376,597 FLOR SCRUBBING MACHINE Clarence Boyd,5325 Belt Road NW., Washington, D.C. 20015 Filed Feb. 2, 1966, Ser. No.524,641 6 Claims. (Cl. 15-320) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A dloorscrubbing machine having a carriage means pivotal-ly attached at therear end thereof. The carriage means includes ground engaging wheelmeans and squeegee means and the carriage means can be manually steeredto enable the same to be selectively pivoted. As the carriage means ispivoted, the machine is steered and the squeegee means is moved to aposition where it can collect the scrubbing liquid from the machine.

This invention relates to a floor scrubbing machine for cleaning andmaintaining large areas of licor space on a suitable commercial basis,and more particularly this invention relates to an improved form of suchoor scrubbing machine which is automatically power operated and whichcan be readily maneuvered and steered by the machine operator.

-In order to properly clean and maintain the large floor areas which arepresent in office buildings, factories, warehouses and the like, it hasbecome common practice to utilize machines of the general category ofthe present invention, that is power operated floor scrubbing machines.Such machines, in general, include at least two floor scrubbing brushes,means for automatically powering or rotating such brushes to cause thesame to operate in a counter-rotating manner upon the floor, and asupply of wash water for delivery to these brushes to thus enable thesame to properly wash or scrub the loor therebeneath. Also, suchmachines are generally provided with an automatic driving means forpropelling the machine along the floor as the brushes perform thescrubbing operation, so that the operator need not manually push themachine.

While machines of this general category have been well known in theprior art and are familiar to those skilled in the art of floormaintenance, there have nevertheless been several drawbacks associatedwith these prior art forms of machines, such drawbacks being related tothe machine construction, operation, maintenance and versatility. Forexample, such prior art machines were often dicult to steer or maneuver,thereby making it dilicult for an operator to properly use the machine.Also, many of these prior art machines were only able to operate in aforward direction and at a single speed, thereby limiting thecapabilities of the machine.

To refer more specifically to some of the problems encountered withprior art forms of floor scrubbing machines, one common problem whicharose was the ineiciency of the vacuum squeegee mounted on the back ofthe machine. Such squeegees were customarily used and were formed by apair of spaced apart rubber floor scraping blades with a vacuum beingformed between the blades. Thus, t-he -blades would not only scrapealong the floor to collect the wash water from the brushes, but wouldtrap such wash water therebetween to enable the same to be drawn up bythe suction force therein. However, such squeegees were generally fixedin position on the rear of the floor scrubbing machine, and hence whenthe machine was turned during steering thereof, such squeegees tended tomiss collecting certain portions of the wash water, thereby leavingpuddles and streaks along the floor.

Another problem encountered in prior art forms of floor scrubbingmachines resided in the inability to quickly and easily transport thesame lbetween washing locations. That is, in most instances, the brushesand the squeegee were fixed in position and could not be readily raisedand lowered, at least not without completely shutting down the machineitself. As a result, it was difficult to transport the machines from onewashing location to another without rst shutting down the same. Also, incertain instances where the machine merely had to ride over a small bumpsuch as a door jamb, the operator would have to shut down the machine toraise the brushes and squcegee if he were to properly pass over thebump. Because of the extreme inconvenience involved in manipulations ofthis type, most operators merely rode the machines over such bumps orjambs without shutting down the machines and without raising the brushesor squeegees and as a result, the brush heads and squeegee blades soonbecame damaged.

Still another drawback with the prior art forms of floor scrubbingmachines resided in the need for continual recharging of their storagebattery power supplies. It was found to `be desirable and convenient touse storage batteries as a means for providing the power supply foroperating these prior art floor scrubbing machines, but such batteriesconstantly were drained during operation of the machines, therebyrequiring extended periods of recharging and, in fact, requiringreplacement of the batteries themselves at frequent intervals. As aresult, many large facilities found it necessary to have severalscrubbing machines available for use, since at least some of themachines were constantly out `of operating condition due to rechargingor replacement of their batteries.

With the foregoing factors in mind, it is, therefore, an object -of thepresent invention to overcome the difliculties, deficiencies andshortcomings -associated with prior art forms of door scrubbing machinesand to provide in their stead, a new and improved oor -scrubbingmachine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a floor scrubbingmachine having an improved steering arrangement.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a floor scrubbingmachine having an improved squeegee means for collecting the used washwater, such squeegee means being operative to efficiently collect all ofthe wash water even While the machine is being turned or otherwisesteered.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a Hoor scrubbingmachine which provides a minimum power drain on the rechargeable powersource or storage batteries utilized therein.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a floor scrubbingmachine wherein the brushes and squeegee can be selectively raised andlowered, even while the machine is in operation.

Other objects, advantages and salient features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description, which,taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferredembodiment hereof.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE l is a side elevational view of a floor scrubbing machine inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section,taken from the opposite side of the machine of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the floor scrubbing machine with thetanks removed therefrom;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along theline 4 4 of FIGURE 3; and,

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in section in FIGURE4.

Referring now to the drawings for a detailed description of the presentinvention, there is provided a new and improved floor scrubbing machinegenerally designated 10, such machine including a body means formedprincipally of a main frame generally designated 12, tank meansgenerally designated 14 supported by the frame, brush means generallydesignated 16 coupled to the forward end of the frame, squeegee meansgenerally designated 18 coupled to the rearward end of the frame, andsteering means generally designated 20 for guiding the machine as thesame is propelled across a floor being cleaned.

The main frame 12 is an open generally rectangular metal frameworkformed of a series of interconnected rods or bars. As such, it includeslongitudinally extending upper bars 22 along each side of the machine,longitudinally extending lower bars 24 disposed therebeneath, verticallyextending bars 26 interconnecting the upper and lower bars 22 and 24,and transversely extending bars 28 interconnecting the upper bars on oneside with those on the other and the lower bars on one side with thoseon the other.

The tank means 14 includes a pair of enlarged tanks, the forwardmosttank 30 containing a supply of fresh Wash water and the rearwardmosttank 32 acting as a recovery tank for collecting the used wash water. Aconduit 34 extends downwardly from the fresh water tank 30 to supplywash Water to the brushes mounted at the front of the machine 10. Avalve 36 is mounted in the conduit 34 and is controlled by an operatinglink or handle 38 which is coupled to the controls for the machine. Assuch, the valve 36 can be selectively opened to supply water to thebrushes or can be selectively closed to terminate the supply of waterthereto.

The brush means 16 is juxtaposed to the lower forward front of themachine and includes a brush head 40 having a gear box 42 disposedthereupon. At least two ground engaging washing brushes 44 are mountedin the brush head 40, such brushes having vertically extending shaftsextending into the gear rbox 42 to permit the same to rotate the brushesin counter-rotating direction. The brush means 16 is coupled to the mainframe 12 by means of a pair of rearwardly extending arms 46 disposed onopposite sides of the `gear 'box 42. The forward end of each arm 46 isprovided with an elongated slot 48 through which a mounting bolt 50extends. This form of mounting thus permits the entire brush head andbrushes to be mounted to the arms 46 in a more or less free floatingmanner. The rearward end of the arms 46 angles upwardly, as shown at 52,and connects with an ear 54 depending from the main frame 12, by meansof a pivotal attachment 56.

Means are provided for selectively raising and lowering the brush head40 to thereby bring the brushes 44 into or out of engagement with thefloor to be cleaned. To this end, and as can best be seen in FIGURE 2, arod 58 extends across the frame means 12 at the lower front thereof. Anear 60 is provided at each end of the rod 58, such ear in turn beingcoupled to the arms 46 by an adjustable coupling means in the form of athreaded arm 62. By properly adjusting the setting of the threaded arm62, the height of the brush head above the oor can be varied. At somepoint along the rod S8 between the ears 60, there is a further ear orlink 64 fixed in position, with such ear extending generally rearwardlyand downwardly. This ear 64 is coupled to an extensible actuating means66 such as a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a solenoid, orthe like. When this actuating means 66 is energized so that the plungerthereof extends forwardly, it pushes the link 64 forwardly therebycausing the rod 58 to rotate. This, in turn, causes the ears 60 to actas cams which raise the arms 46 and thus raise the attached brush head40 and brushes 44. Naturally, when the actuating means 66 isde-energized, the reverse operation is performed and the brush head andbrushes are again lowered.

Before describing the manner in which the ybrushes 44 t are rotated, apower system or driving means for the machine 10 will be described. Suchpower system initially receives power from a rechargeable power sourceformed by storage batteries 68 carried on the main frame at the rearthereof. An insulating wall 70 separates these batteries from theremainder of the driving mechanism which is disposed forwardly thereof.However, such batteries are electrically connected through theinsulating wall 70 to a driving motor means 72. The motor 72 has a driveshaft 74 extending outwardly therefrom, and such shaft has a smalloutboard pulley 76 xed thereon and a larger inboard pulley 78 affixedthereon. A variable pitch pulley set is disposed forwardly from themotor 72, such set in-` cluding an outboard pulley 82,` an inboardpulley 84, and a controlling handle 86 to be connected to the controlsof the machine for varying the pitch of these variable pulleys. Theoutboard motor pulley 74 is connected to the outboard variable pitchpulley S2 by a continuous or endless driving belt 88.

The other pulley 84 of the variable pulley set is aligned with a pulley90 and is connected therewith by an endless driving belt 92. The pulley90 is mounted on a shaft 94 chine 10, such energy source 'beingtransmitted to the` driving motor 72, and then from that :motor viaendless drives 88 and 92 to create operation of the main gear drive 96.This main gear drive serves to operate the brushes through rotation ofthe shaft 98, in a manner to be now described, and also serves toprovide motive power for propelling the machine, in a manner to bepresently described.

To understand the manner in which the brushes are operated or rotated,attention is directed particularly to FIGURES l through 3 wherein it canbe seen that an upstanding one-to-one ratio right angle drive mechanism102 projects above the gear box 42 on the brush head 40.`

A driving sprocket 104 extends from one end of the drive mechanism 102,while a shaft or rod 106 is rotatably mounted above the right angledrive mechanism 102 and extending thereacross. On one end of the shaft106, a sprocket 108 is provided in spaced relation directly above thesprocket 104, and a chain drive 110 thus interconnects the sprockets 104and 108. Another sprocket 112 is provided on the opposite end of theshaft 106, as shown in' FIGURE 2.

Another shaft 114 is provided in spaced relation behind the shaft 106and within the main framework 12 of the machine. This shaft, as can bestbe seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, carries a sprocket 116 on one end thereof,such sprocket being generally aligned with the sprocket 112. As such, anendless chain drive 118 extends between the sprockets 112 and 116 tointerconnect the same together in a driving relationship. The oppositeend of the shaft 114 is provided with another sprocket 120 whichconnects the same with the main drive shaft as will be described shortlyhereinafter.

The shaft 114 is coupled to the shaft 106 by means of a pair of spacedapart links 122, the length of which serves to adjust the amount of liftof the brush head. In other words, the length ofthe links 122 is soselected that the rods 106 and 114 will `be spaced properly from oneanother to enable the brush head 40 to be lifted and lowered while themachine is in operation. In other words, lifting and lowering can beeffected even while the chain drive 118 is operating. The main driveshaft for the brushes is designated 124, is disposed within the mainframe 12 beneath t-he Shaft 114, and is suitably mounted by conventionaljournal bearings or the like, not shown. A link or ear 126 is xed at oneend to the main drive shaft 124 and has its other end pivotally`connected to the shaft 114 between the ears or links 122, as can bestbe seen in FIGURE 3. The main drive shaft 124 also carries a sprocket128 which is aligned beneath the sprocket 120 on the shaft 114, and anendless chain drive 130 interconnects these sprockets 128 and 128together. The shaft 124 continues to extend beyond the sprocket 128, ascan best be seen in FIGURE 3, and on this extended portion, a pulley 132is mounted in generally coplanar relationship with the driving pulley160 from the main gear drive 96. An endless driving belt 134interconnects the pulleys 100 and 132 together in a drivingrelationship.

Finally, a tension applying means is provided for applying properpressure or tension to the main drive belt 134. To this end anupstanding idler arm 136 is affixed to one of the arms 46 in an upwardlyextending relationship. A rotatable roller 138 is provided at the end ofthe idler arm 136 for engagement with the belt drive 134. Thus, when thearms 46 are in their lower position, and thus the brush head 40 islikewise in its lowered position with the `brushes. engaging the floor,the rotary roller or head 138 provides a biasing force or tension uponthe belt 134 to enable the same to drive the brushes in the followingmanner. As previously described, the main gear drive 96 is provided withpower to thereby rotate the sha-ft 98. As the shaft 98 rotates, itlikewise rotates the pulley 10d, thereby serving to drive the belt 134.As long as the roller 138 is applying proper tension to the belt 134,the same serves to drive the pulley 132 and hence to drive the maindrive shaft 124. As the main drive shaft 124 is rotated, its rotation isin turn imparted to the shaft 114 by means of the interconnecting chaindrive 130. The rotation of the shaft 114 is, in turn, transmitted to theshaft 106 via the chain drive 118. Finally, the rotation of the shaft106 is transmitted to the right angle drive mechanism 182 via the chaindrive 110. AS the right angle drive mechanism 192 operates, it causesthe gear box 42 to operate and to thereby rotate the brushes 44 in acounter-rotating manner.

Now, let it be assumed that the operator wants to raise the brush head42 to lift the brushes out of engagement with the door, and he wishes todo so without shutting down the machine 10. To accomplish this, theoperator need merely actuate the previously described energizing means66, which, when extended, acts through the ears 60 and 64 to raise thearms 46 and to thereby raise the brush head. As the brush head starts toraise, the brushes 44 will nevertheless continue to rotate, since thelinks 122 assure that the spacing -between the shafts 186 and 114 willremain constant, and that the chain drive 118 will therefore continue tooperate. However, once the arms 46 are raised to a certain level, whichcan, if desired, be adjusted through adjustment of the upstanding angleof the idler arm or shaft 136, the rotary roller 138 will be lifted outof engagement with the driving -belt 134. When this occurs, the tensionwill be released from the belt 134, and the same will be slack. Thus,even though the pulley 100 continues to rotate, such rotation will notbe imparted through the driving belt 134 to the pulley 132, and hence,rotation of the main drive shaft 124 will cease. Of course, as thisoccurs, the brushes 44 will cease to rotate. Then, when the operatoragain desires to lower the brush head, he can do so merely byde-energizing the means 66, and as the brush head again lowers, therotary roller 138 again moves into contact with the belt 134 to provideproper tension upon the same, and driving of the brushes 44 will againcommence.

To understand the manner in which the machine itself is propelled, itwill be rst noted that such vmachine is provided with a pair of spacedapart front ground engaging wheels 140 attached together by an axle 142.The

power for operating the ground engaging wheels is provided by a maindriving gear 144 mounted on the outboard end of a shaft '146 whichprojects from the main gear drive 96. The shaft 146 can be driven ineither a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to thus drive thewheels either forwardly or in reverse, as will be described shortlyhereinafter. Directly beneath the main driving gear 144, a pair of idlergears 148 and 150 are provided, such gears being interconnected by alink 152 so that they act as a pair. A control handle 154 is coupled tothe link 152 to thus selectively move the idler gears to bring eitherone or the other into meshing engagement with the main driving gear 144.Beneath these idler gears, and spaced in parallel relationship above theaxle 142, a shaft 156 is provided, such shaft extending between the maingear drive and one of the main frame lower channels 24. A gear -158 ismounted upon the shaft 156 for driving rotation by either one or theother of the idler gears, to thereby cause the shaft 156 to rotate.Another gear 162 is also provided on the shaft 156, spaced between themain gear drive 96 and the gear 158, as can best be seen in FIGURE 3.This gear or sprocket 162 serves to transmit driving power to the axle142 via a chain drive 164. A differential 166 is mounted upon the axle142 to thus enable the wheels 140 to properly maneuver around a corneror turn, and a sprocket |168 coupled to the differential is spacedbeneath the gear 162 and in meshing engagement with the chain drive 164.

To now understand the manner in which the front wheels 140 are driven topropel the machine 10, let it be assumed that the machine is to bepropelled in a forward direction. In such event, the main driving gear144 is driven in a clockwise direction when viewed from the position ofFIGURE 2. Also, the control handle 154 is moved to the position shown inFIGURE 2 so that the idler gear 148 meshes between the gears 144 and158, and so that the idler gear is completely out of engagement withboth such gears. In such event, the clockwise rotation of the maindriving gear 144 is thus transmitted through the idler gear 148 to causea similar clockwise rotation of the gear 158 and hence of the shaft 156connected thereto. As the shaft 156 rotates in a clockwise direction, itthus causes the sprocket 162 to rotate in a clockwise direction, suchsprocket rotation in turn being transmitted via the chain drive 164 tocause a clockwise rotation of the axle 142. Such clockwise rotation, aswill be seen, in FIGURE 2, causes a forward movement of the wheels 140.

On the other hand, let it be assumed that it is desired to propel themachine in a rearward or reverse direction. In such event, the maindriving gear 144 is driven in a counterclockwise direction and thecontrol handle 154 is moved to a position wherein the idler gear 150meshes with the gears 144 and y158. Naturally, in such position, theother idler gear 148 is completely out of meshing relationship witheither of these gears. In this position, the counterclockwise rotationof the main driving gear 144 is transmitted through the idler gear 156to create a similar counterclockwise rotation of the gear 158 and henceof its attached shaft 156. This counterclockwise rotation is thustransmitted through the sprocket 162 and the chain drive 164 to cause acounterclockwise rotation of the axle 142. Again, as can be seen inFIGURE 2, a counterclockwise rotation of the axle 142 results in arearward movement of the wheels 140.

For a further understanding of the manner in which the machine 10 andits various accessories and components operate, attention is againdirected to FIGURES l through 3, wherein it can be seen that a jackshaft170 extends across the rear of the main gear drive 96 and is mountedthereupon by `suitable bearing mounts 172. On its right hand end, thejackshaft 170 is provided with a small inboard pulley 174 aligned withthe large pulley 78 of the driving motor 72, and the jackshaft 17d isalso provided with a large outboard pulley 176. A belt drive 7 178extends in driving relation from the motor pulley 78 to the jackshaftpulley 174 and thus, as the motor 72 operates, the belt drive 178 causesa rotation of the jackshaft. A vacuum turbine 180 is provided in spacedrelationship above the driving motor 72, such vacuum turbine having aprojecting shaft 182 which mounts a pulley 184 in generally parallelrelationship with the jackshaft outboard pulley 176. A belt drive 186interconnects the pulleys 176 and 184, and thus, as the jackshaft 170 isrotated, the vacuum turbine .180 is operated. A hose or conduit 188extends from the vacuum turbine 180 between the tank means 30 and 32 andconnects near the top of the recovery tank 32. The recovery tank 32 is aclosed or covered chamber and thus as the vacuum turbine draws a vacuumthrough the conduit 188, a reduced pressure or vacuum is created at thetop of the recovery tank 32. Another conduit 190 likewise extends fromthe top of the recovery tank 32, and this conduit connects to thesqueegee means I18. In this manner, when the vacuum turbine operates tocreate a suction or reduced pressure at the top of the recovery tank 32,such reduced pressure is likewise transmitted via the conduit 190 to thesqueegee means, thereby serving to draw the water trapped within thesqueegee means upwardly and into the recovery tank 32.

At the left hand end of the jackshaft 170, a sprocket 192 is provided,and this sprocket connects via a chain drive 194 with the drivingsprocket 196 of an alternator 198. The alternator 198 is in turnelectrically connected with a voltage regulator 200 mounted on theinsulating wall 70 adjacent the batteries 68. The batteries orrechargeable power source 68, the alternator 198 and the voltageregulator 200 form a power system which is electrically connected incircuit with the driving motor 72. Thus, although there is a power drainfrom the batteries 68 to start operation of the driving motor '72, oncesuch operation has been started, the major portion of the power comesfrom the alternator 198, and accordingly, the effective life of thebatteries is greatly increased.

If attention is now directed to FIGURES 4 and 5, the steering means willbe described in greater detail. As can be seen in FIGURE 4, a stub shaft202 depends downwardly from one of the cross supports 28 of the mainframe 12. This stub shaft 202 serves to lpivotally mount the steeringmeans, which includes basically a set of rear wheels, a carriage means,and actuating mechanism for raising and lowering the squeegee means 18.The carriage means includes a pair of superposed at plates 204 and 206,each having central apertures therethrough through which the end of thestub shaft 202 can project. The central aperture in the plate 204contains a bearing 20S, while the lower plate 206 includes a pair ofspaced apart depending ears 210. The stub shaft 202 projects througheach of the plates and is axed thereto by a nut 212 which is threadedonto its end in the manner shown in FIGURE 4. The ears 210 serve torotatably mount an axle 14 upon whose end a pair of rear wheels 216 aremounted. The rear wheels 216 are not only considerably smaller indiameter than are the front wheels 140, but moreover, such rear wheelsare spaced considerably closer to one another than are the front wheels140. As a practical matter, the front wheels 140 are generally mounteddirectly beneath the side channel frame pieces 24, and hence have aspacing equal to the width of the main frame 12. In contrast the rearwheels 216 are each spaced inwardly a considerable distance from thesides 24 of the main frame, and it is preferred that the spacing betweensuch rear wheels be no more than one half the spacing between the frontdriving wheels 14.0.

A pair of rails 218 are attached to the exterior of the ear 210 andextend rearwardly therefrom in parallel relationship, the grooved orslotted portions of such rails being directed toward one another infacing relationship. An extensible cylinder means or hydraulic ram 220is mounted beneath the plate 206 and extends rearwardly Cir therefromfor the purpose of raising and lowering the squeegee means 18. The ram220 includes an extensible cylinder or plunger 222 projecting therefrom,such plunger having a transverse cross bar 224 affixed to its outer end.The transverse bar 224 extends between the rails or tracks 218, and ateach end thereof, a wheel 226 is rotatably mounted. These wheels 226ride in the grooves within the rails or tracks 2118 `and thus traverseeither forwardly or rearwardly, depending upon whether the hydraulic ram220 is actuated or de-actuated.

Turning attention to the squeegee means 18 itself, it

will be seen that the same is formed of a pair of spaced` apart rubberblades 228, 228' each of which depends from an elongated cover 230. Aslot or opening 232 is formed in the cover 230 to communicate with thespace between the blades 22, '228' for collecting the water trappedtherebetween. The recovery conduit couples to this slot or opening 232to thereby suck the water from'the space between the squeegee bladesupwardly into the recovery tank 32. Rubber bumpers 234 are mounted atthe end of the squeegee cover 230 to assure that the same will not bedamaged as it is turned during steering of the machine 1li.

A pair of upstanding mounts or sockets 236 are provided on the top ofthe squeegee cover 230 with such mounts 236 being spaced apart by adistance greater than the spacing between the rear wheels 216. A rod 238has one end thereof mounted within each of the mounts 236 and attachestherewithin by a wing nut 240 threaded on the end thereof, and such rod23S extends from the squeegee means toward the wheels 216. The oppositeend of each rod 238 is pivotally attached to the lower end of a smalllink 242. As can best be seen in FIGURE 5, the upper end of each link242 is coupled to a transversely extending bar 244 which is affixed tothe rails 218 as it extends thereacross. l ust beyond the squeegee cover230 on each of the rods 238, there is an outwardly projecting plate 246from which an adjustable spring biased threaded means 248 depends. Theseadjustable means 248 `serve to adjustably mount a transversely extendinglrod 24S` which is linked to the hydraulic ram 220 in a manner to be nowdescribed, so that such ram can selectively raise and lower the squeegeemeans 18. An upstanding pad 252 1 is coupled to the rod 250 at thecenter thereof and projects thereabove in upstanding relationship.

Finally, a pair of spaced apart bars 254 are provided along oppositesides of the hydraulic ram 220 but spaced within the contines of thespaced rails 218. The forward end of each of these bars 254 is affixedto the axle 214 of the rear wheels. Then, as can best be seen in FIGURE4, such bars 254 extend linearly rearwardly for a certain distance andthen angle into an upwardly canted or radius portion 256. A pad or plate258 is pivotally attached between the outer ends of these upwardlycanted portions 256, and this plate 258 thus hangs freely downwardly injuxtaposition to the pad or plate 252 extending upwardly from the rod250. A single pivot pin or member 260 interconnects the pads 252 and 258together in a somewhat loose manner which permits a small amount of lfree play therebetween.

The squeegee ymeans 18 is lowered by proper actuation or energization ofthe hydraulic ram 220. When this occurs, the plunger 222 thereof movesrearwardly and the transversely extending cross bar 224 on the endthereof pushes against the upwardly angled portions 256 to cam the samedownwardly. This pushes the rod 250 downwardly, thereby moving the bars232 and the interconnected squeegee downwardly until the blades 228,228' are in engagement with the floor, The adjustable means 248 can bevaried to assure that the squeegee will engage thefloor with the properamount of force or tension.

To assure that the squeegee means 18 will be raised off the lioor whenthe hydraulic ram 220 is de-actuated, a shaft 262 is affixedtransversely across the bottom of the bars 254, such shaft having anextent beyond the spacing of lthe rails 218, as can best be seen inFIGURE 5. A pair of powerful tension springs 264 connect from the endsof this shaft 262 to the underside of a plate 266 forming a part` of thehandlebar mechanism. Thus, when the hydraulic ram 220 is de-energizedand the plunger 222 thereof is retracted, the springs 264 will lift thesqueegee means 18 off the floor.

The plate 266 extends rearwardly beyond the end of the main frame 12,and then projects perpendicularly upwardly at 268 to provide a mountingmeans for a pair of handlebars 270 which can be readily grasped andutilized by the machine operator. The controls for the variousenergiza'ble portions of the machine can be provided in any suitablemeans on the handlebars 270, as, for example, spring loaded buttons 272.When the operator depresses a suitable button 272 or other actuatablemeans upon the handlebars 270, the machine will go into operation,either in a forward or reverse direction, as selected by the operator.As the machine is traveling or being propelled along the floor, theoperator steers the same via the handle bars 272. As was previouslydescribed, the rear wheels 216, the squeegee means 18 and the handlebars270 are all coupled together by a form of carriage means which ispivotable about the centrally depending stub shaft 202. Thus, when theoperator steers the machine `by merely turning the handlebars 270, helikewise turns the rear wheels 216 and thereby simultaneously turns theattached squeegee means. As an example, when the parts are arranged asshown in solid lines in FIGURE 3, the machine will travel in a linearpath, whereas when the parts are turned to the position shown in dottedlines, the machine will be steered into a turn. Since the squeegee meansis necessarily always positioned behind the rear wheels 216, since thesame is attached thereto, such squeegee means will always be properlypositioned, even during a turn, to collect all of the wash water fromthe brushes 44. In other words, even while the machine is travelingaround a corner, the squeegee means will collect all of the used water,thereby assuring that no puddles or streaks will remain on the floor.

After reading the foregoing detailed description, it will fbe apparentthat the objects set forth at the outset of the specification have beensuccessfully achieved by the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a tioor scrubbing machine, the combination comprising:

main frame means having a forward end and a rear end;

brush means coupled to said main frame means at its forward end forscrubbing a floor;

ground engaging front wheels coupled to said main frame means betweenits ends;

driving means coupled to said front wheels for rotating the same in aselected direction to thereby propel said machine;

carriage means pivotally attached to said main frame means adjacent itsrear end;

said carriage means including at least one rotatably mounted groundengaging rear wheel for steering said machine and squeegee means forcollecting the scrubbing liquid from said brush means; and

steering means coupled to said carriage means for selectively pivotingthe same, thereby also pivoting of said rear wheels and said squeegeemeans.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein two rear wheels areprovided, said rear wheels being spaced apart by a distance smaller thanthe spacing between said front wheels.

3. The combination dened in claim 2 wherein said rear wheels aredisposed beneath said main frame means at a location between said frontwheels and said squeegee means.

4. The combination dened in claim 1 wherein said carriage means furtherincludes means for selectively raising and lowering said squeegee means.

5. The combination defined including:

a brush head juxtaposed to the forward end of said main frame means andhaving at least two rotatable ground engaging brushes supportedthereupon;

said brush head having rearwardly extending arms;

said arms being pivotally attached to said main frame means therebypivotally coupling said brush head to said main frame means;

brush driving means connected to said brush head to `rotate said groundengaging brushes in a selected direction;

link means connected to at least one of -said arms; and,

power means coupled to said link means and being selectively energizableto move said link means, thereby moving said arms to raise or lower saidbrush head.

6. The combination defined in claim 5 wherein said brush driving meansincludes an endless driving belt and wherein a tension applying meansextends from one of said arms to maintain tension on said 'belt whensaid brush head is lowered, thereby assuring that said ground engagingbrushes are driven, said tension applying means moving out of engagementwith said belt when said brush head is raised thereby terminatingdriving of said ground engaging brushes.

in claim 1 further References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,065,490 11/1962 Arones 15-401 XR 3,204,280 9/ 1965 Campbell 15-320 XR 3,290,716 12/1966 Cain 15--320 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 936,522 9/ 1963 Great Britain.609,427 11/ 1960 Canada.

ROBERT W. MICHELL, Primary Examiner.

